Domestic abuse before, during and after pregnancy in Jahrom, Islamic Republic of Iran

Abstract

We conducted a cross-sectional study among 300 women with a child aged 6 to 18 months, to determine the prevalence and determinants of domestic abuse against women in Jahrom; before, during and after pregnancy. The prevalence of abuse during pregnancy (42%) was lower than during the 1 year before pregnancy (51.7%) and after delivery (53.5%). The overall prevalence of emotional abuse, sexual abuse and physical abuse was 53.5%, 34.7% and 26.7% respectively. Abuse during any previous period was a strong risk factor for subsequent abuse. Other risk factors associated with abuse were: woman previously witnessing domestic violence, opium use by husband, woman's education < or = 12 years, age at marriage of woman < 18 years, husband's education < or = 12 years, woman's economic dependency and living in an extended family. Routine screening of abuse in maternity clinics should be considered.